GGE BIPLOT ANALYSIS FOR YIELD AND QUALITY STABILITY IN TWO ENVIRONMENT TRIALS OF ALFALFA GENOTYPES (MEDICAGO SATIVA L.)

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out to find out yield and yield components of different genotypes of alfalfa in two environments. Yield and yield components (dry matter, crude protein, ADF, NDF, RFV content and ME value) of our varieties (Kayseri, Elci, Bilensoy, WL 414 (MA 414) and a native cultivar of alfalfa was investigated under two different environmental conditions during 20122013 and 2013-2014seasons that were combined in a GGE-Biplot analysis. The locations were the provinces of Igdir and Kars. The experiments were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates in each experiment. In the study, herbage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein content, ADF, NDF, RFV and ME values were analyzed. Within the environment, the main effect of a genotype was significant. The combined analysis of variance for plant height, herbage yield and dry matter data indicated that the differences among all sources of variation were highly significant (P<0.001). Environment (E), Genotype (G) and GxE interaction were also significant. Genotypes at Igdir significantly produced herbage yield and dry matter yield greater than Kars. The analysis showed that there is diversity in yield among alfalfa genotypes. Moreover, the GGE biplot analysis showed that Elci was the most desirable genotype across all environment followed by Bilensoy and MA-414. The stability analysis showed that the high performing genotype was stable for yield.